Debenhams Closes Dubai Stores, Eyes Online Return

Debenhams Closed Dubai Stores, Eyes Online Comeback

The British department store chain Debenhams has permanently closed its doors at two major locations: the Dubai Mall and Mirdif City Centre. The Dubai Mall store ceased operations on June 12, followed by the closure of the Mirdif City Centre outlet on June 22, marking another milestone in the iconic brand’s presence in the Middle East.

What Exactly Happened?

In the days leading up to the closure, Debenhams Middle East engaged customers via Instagram posts highlighting their liquidation sales. Promotional offers, such as "buy one, get two free," were used to maximize stock clearance. Although the closures are final concerning physical stores, the Debenhams brand is not disappearing entirely from the UAE market.

Is Debenhams Returning Online?

Current information suggests that the Debenhams UAE brand is set to return as an online store. While the exact launch date is still unknown, plans indicate that residents will soon have digital access to the brand's offerings again. This strategy aligns with international trends: globally, Debenhams ceased physical store operations in 2021 to fully transition to online retail.

Who's Behind This Move?

Boohoo Group acquired the Debenhams brand in 2021 and closed traditional stores to focus on e-commerce ventures. In the Middle East region, however, physical stores continued to operate under a licensing agreement with Kuwait-based Alshaya Group. This partnership allowed Debenhams to maintain a presence in the MENA region for longer, even as it was available only online in other markets.

What's Expected in the Future?

Although the cessation of physical presence may affect many deeply, the launch of the online store offers new opportunities. Through digital platforms, the brand could offer an even broader range of products and more frequently updated promotions to cater to UAE customers. Boohoo-owned Debenhams Group aims to make this transformation model—where physical presence is entirely replaced by online operations—a standard within its corporate group.

Summary

The closure of Debenhams' physical stores in two iconic shopping malls in Dubai marks the end of an era but also the beginning of a new chapter. The brand’s next steps will unfold online, and if everything goes according to plan, customers will soon enjoy the Debenhams style once again—from the comfort of their homes.

(Source: Debenhams department store chain announcement.)